DURHAM DRUG TREATMENT COURT PUSHES AHEAD DESPITE LACK OF FUNDING

Four-Year Anniversary For Program That Helps People Kick Life Of
Addiction, Crime

OSHAWA -- There aren't many courtrooms in Canada where you can freely
admit to using illegal drugs, without fear of consequences.

In fact, there are precisely nine, one of which is here in Durham
Region.

"You don't have to be afraid to be honest about what's going on with
you, everyone just wants to help," said Vivian Cruz, one of two women
who graduated from the Durham Drug Treatment and Mental Health Court
on Oct. 18.

Clutching a certificate and a bouquet of flowers to her chest, Ms.
Cruz grinned from ear to ear as Justice Katrina Mulligan praised her
for kicking a drug addiction, attending counselling, landing a
volunteer job and a myriad of other accomplishments required to
complete the program.

"It's nice to have you back in our community as a productive member,"
the judge said as Ms. Cruz's fellow program participants cheered and
dabbed tears from their eyes.

"It's nice to be back," Ms. Cruz replied.

The scene is unlike most courtroom proceedings, because this is unlike
most courts.

After being carefully vetted, offenders with drug and mental health
problems are referred to the program to potentially escape probation,
fines or jail, and get their lives back on track.

This fall, Durham's court celebrates its fourth anniversary, a
milestone that is especially noteworthy because it was achieved
without funding.

Most of the other drug treatment courts in Canada receive federal cash
from the Department of Justice, but Durham has been routinely turned
down, due in part to its proximity to Toronto.

That means Justice Mulligan and the lawyers, addiction counsellors,
mental health experts, police officers and other members of the team
donate their time and resources.

It also means Durham's court has only seven spots, compared with
others that have 50 or more.

"We are a community that has a real drug problem, we absolutely need
more spots," Justice Mulligan said."People benefit so much from this
program.

"It's a shame you have to commit a crime to get in."

Durham Regional Police officer Jeff Tucker works with the drug
treatment court and said addiction can lead to all kinds of criminal
charges including prostitution, fraud, break and enters, drug
possession and theft.

He said it's frustrating to see the number of people who could turn
their lives around, if there were only more spaces available.

"I work with a lot of people addicted to drugs and when we charge
them, it's just a revolving door. They're back on the street a little
while later and nothing has been done to address the root cause,"he
said."Oshawa alone had an immense drug problem whether people want to
admit it or not. Seven spots for the entire Region of Durham isn't
enough."

Police also need to be more aware of the program, he said, noting many
local cops have no idea what it is. Most referrals come from defence
lawyers and Const. Tucker would like to see that change.

He and his colleagues are hoping to host an event this fall to educate
Durham police and politicians about the court, in an effort to drum up
funding and increase awareness of how it works.

Drug treatment courts operate by surrounding participants with support
services -- many of which would otherwise be inaccessible or require
long waits.

In order to stay in the program, participants must appear in court
every Monday, attended multiple weekly counselling sessions, see a
mental health professional if needed, provide regular urine samples
and work to get their lives back in order.

Durham's drug treatment court team meets weekly to scrutinize the
progress of the seven participants before they appear in front of
Justice Mulligan at Oshawa's downtown courthouse.

Participants who meet all their weekly obligations get an incentive.
Tim Hortons gift cards, CDs and books are popular, but praise from
Justice Mulligan and applause in the courtroom is the undeniable favorite.

Dropping the ball results in a sanction, ranging from a few hours of
community service to expulsion. The team stresses that no one is ever
sanctioned for admitting to drug use -- as long as they're honest, it
won't be held against them.

To reach graduation, which takes an average of nine to 18 months,
participants must be free of drugs and alcohol for three consecutive
months, have stable housing and be giving back to society by working,
volunteering or attending school.

If they make it to the finish line, charges are dropped or jail time
is swapped for a non-custodial sentence, depending on the nature of
the offence.

"I talk to a lot of parents who describe their kid as a lost soul out
there on the street. They don't know what to do to get them back. They
don't want to see their kid punished by going to jail, they want
someone to help them,"said John Adamson, a defence lawyer who is part
of the Durham team."That's what this court does, it helps. A lot of
these people are dying on their feet, they're fading away from normal
life. To have a judge and all these people take an interest in them is
a whole new experience. They grab onto it with both hands."

So far about 30 people have been admitted to the Durham program and
six adults and seven youths have graduated -- not bad considering how
daunting the tasks are for those struggling with addiction and mental
health issues.

"Even those that don't graduate see benefits,"Justice Mulligan
said."They remain connected with the social services set up for them,
and they do much better than if they hadn't been involved at all."

For Ann Marie O'Kane -- the program's other most recent graduate --
drug treatment court has been a lifesaver.

"It has shown me how to live, I can feel again,"she said, noting that
she has a husband and five children at home who are incredibly
relieved to have her back on track." I didn't know what would have
happened to me if I didn't get this help."

Fellow graduate Ms. Cruz said it's a misconception that only "a
certain type" of person can fall victim to addiction and require the
help of a program like the drug treatment court.

"Addiction doesn't discriminate," she says.

She and her husband are both professionals and she said it was work
stress that eventually saw her turn to drugs.

"You wonder how it can happen to you when you've done everything
right, but this can happen to anyone. I would encourage anyone out
there who has the means to support this program to help, you never
know when it could be you or your loved one that needs it."

As the team looks ahead to the future, securing funding and more spots
is the main objective.

Justice Mulligan said she is encouraged by the Province's recent
commitment to support mental health initiatives and recent changes to
federal minimum sentencing legislation that offers exceptions for
those in drug treatment court programs.

Both developments stand to legitimize the work drug treatment courts
are doing, and possibly open the door to more funds, she said.

In the meantime, there are ways the community can help. While private
sponsorships are out of the question because of the potential for
conflicts of interest, community partners can donate resources such as
incentives and graduation gifts for the participants.

Anyone making a financial donation to Pinewood Centre and Durham
Mental Services can also earmark their money for the drug treatment
court.